Hesston College will showcase the musical and theatrical talents of alumni and students during A Hesston College Homecoming: A View From Everywhere Sept. 28 to 30.

Weekend events will focus on performing arts featuring concerts, performances, presentations, panel discussions, a jam session and live radio show by alumni, students and former and current faculty.

 “We’ve put together an outstanding group of alumni and events for the Performing Arts Showcase that goes along with our regular Homecoming lineup of family, sports and class reunion activities,” said Dallas Stutzman, director of Alumni and Church Relations. “There will be something for everyone over the weekend, and we want our alumni, friends and the local community to come enjoy connecting with each other and the college.”

All Hesston College alumni and friends are invited to the weekend celebration. Special class reunions will be for years ending in 2 and 7.

Highlights of the weekend include “I Go On Singing,” Hesston faculty member and artist in residence Tony Brown’s acclaimed tribute to Paul Robeson, all-American athlete, scholar, champion orator, international recording artist and star of the stage and screen during the 1930s and 40s. The song-filled show, written especially for Brown by playwright and personal friend Andrew Flack, will be at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 866-437-7866 or at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The Fragrant and Velvety Air,” an original radio show in the style of “A Prairie Home Companion,” written by music faculty member Bradley Kauffman and theatre director Laura Kraybill will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 866-437-7866 or at the door.

The Performing Arts Showcase Sept. 28 and 29 will include a songwriting workshop with Jerry Derstine Martin, Jan Garrett and Tim Shue; a PASSION theatre performance with Robert Hostetter, Jim Mininger and Don Clymer; a theatre education seminar with Talashia (Keim) Yoder; a music therapy workshop with Beth (Kaufman) Eriksen; and a panel discussion titled “You’re Majoring in What?!” with alumni professionals in the performing arts industry.

Alumni can also reconnect with former performing arts faculty members during a reception at 7:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. An alumni and student choir will also perform under the direction of father-son duo Ron Garber, 1966 graduate, and Joel Garber, 2004 graduate.

Weekend guests’ children in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in children’s theatre activities led by 2006 graduate Tara Hershberger from 2 to 5 p.m., Sept. 29.

In addition to performing arts activities and events, A Hesston College Homecoming will include Friday morning chapel; a Partner Appreciation Luncheon; a Golden Gables luncheon for alumni and college classes who graduated 50 years ago or more; Hesston College volleyball matches and men’s and women’s soccer games; alumni vs. varsity baseball and softball games; a tailgate barbecue picnic and family festival; a Friday evening worship service; jam session; class reunions; a performing arts open house to tour campus performing arts facilities and hear about renovation plans; Saturday evening alumni banquet; and a Sunday morning campus community worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church featuring mother-daughter duo Michele (Schrock) Hershberger, a 1981 graduate, and Tara Hershberger.

Registration for the weekend is free until Sept. 7, and $10 between Sept. 8 and 21. For those wishing to attend only the Sept. 29 Alumni Banquet, they may do so without paying the registration fee. Reservations are required for the banquet.

Call Alumni and Church Relations with questions at 866-437-7866 or go to www.hesston.edu for a complete schedule and registration.